Henry David Thoreau

United States
12 Jul 1817 // 6 May 1862
Writer / Author / Poet

Quotes

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Dreams are the touchstones of our character
Writing may be either the record of a deed or a deed. It is nobler when it is a deed
Wealth is the ability to fully experience life
Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it
The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready, and it may be a long time before they get off
There is more religion in men's science, than there is science in their religion
The pleasure we feel in music springs from the obedience which is in it
The man of genius knows what he is aiming at; nobody else knows. And he alone knows when something comes between him and his object. In the course of generations, however, men will excuse you for not doing as they do, if you will bring enough to pass in your own way
The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation
I do not wish to kill nor to be killed, but I can foresee circumstances in which these things would be by me unavoidable
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On Anger: "For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind."
Essays
On Destiny: "Our destiny exercises its influence over us even when, as yet, we have not learned its nature: it is our future that lays down the law of our today."
Human, All Too Human
On Friendship: "A crowd is not company; and faces are but a gallery of pictures; and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love."
Essays